The idea that a theory is somehow a "mature hypothesis" is not how the
word "theory" is used by physicists. To a theoretical physicist, a
theory is essentially a model that describes some data or attempts to
describe some data. Sometimes, there are many competing theories that
attempt to explain data, as in high temperature superconductivity:
"The RVB state is just one of many theoretical approaches to
high-temperature superconductivity. Other competing theories include
those based on fluctuating stripes (in certain cuprates at low
temperature the doped holes are observed to localize along parallel
lines, called stripes, in the copper-oxide planes), and those that
propose to unite the superconducting and antiferromagnetic phases in a
larger symmetry group (so-called SO(5) theories). Other theories are
based on the polaron mechanism and seek to exploit the strong coupling
between electrons and phonons in oxide materials.
Lastly, we can ask what the final theory should predict. First, it
should describe the full complex phase diagram. Second, it should reveal
the special conditions in the cuprates that lead to this very special
behaviour. From this should follow some suggestions for other materials
that would show similar behaviour. While it may not be possible to
predict Tc accurately - because, for instance, of a lack of precise
input parameters - the final theory should give the correct order of
magnitude and explain the trends that are observed in the cuprates.
These trends include the increase in Tc as we move from single-layer
cuprates to those containing two and three copper-oxide layers. These
challenges are likely to keep theorists busy for years to come, but
hopefully not another decade and a half."
Larry Woolf
General Atomics
www.ga.com
www.sci-ed-ga.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony Lapinski
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 4:11 PM
To: PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU
Subject: Re: Bad Theory?
... After the idea is tested repeatedly, it can becomes a theory (e.g,
evolution, big bang). Further testing can result in a law of nature
(e.g., gravity).
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